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Marry me chicken orzo is a creamy, one-pan skillet dinner made with tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and perfectly cooked orzo, all brought together with rich, melty Boursin cheese. A one-pan, cozy, balanced meal that feels indulgent but is surprisingly simple to make!
Table of Contents
- Quick Look: Gluten-Free Marry Me Chicken Orzo
- What Is Marry Me Chicken Orzo?
- Why You'll Love Marry Me Chicken Orzo
- Ingredients You'll Need
- How to Make This Marry Me Chicken Orzo
- Tips and Variations for Marry Me Chicken Orzo
- How to Store and Reheat
- Recipe FAQs
- More Easy Chicken Recipes
- Marry Me Chicken Orzo (Gluten Free) Recipe
Quick Look: Gluten-Free Marry Me Chicken Orzo
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 🍳 Cook Time: 20 minutes
- 🕒 Total Time: 30 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 6
- 📊 Calories: ~375 kcal per serving (based on nutrition panel)
- 🔥 Cook Method: One pan on the stovetop.
- 👩🍳 Flavor Profile: Tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and perfectly cooked orzo, all brought together with rich, melty Boursin cheese.
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy 30-minute dinner
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What Is Marry Me Chicken Orzo?
Marry me chicken orzo gets its name from the original "marry me chicken" - a creamy, sun-dried tomato chicken dish so good it's said to inspire proposals after just one bite. It's rich, comforting, and packed with bold Italian-inspired flavors that feel a little special but are surprisingly simple to make!
My version transforms those same flavors into a one-pan skillet meal where the chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and orzo simmer together in broth until tender. Instead of serving the chicken over pasta, everything cooks in the same pan, so the orzo absorbs the flavor and creates a cohesive, creamy dish.
Why You'll Love Marry Me Chicken Orzo
If you've tried marry me chicken pasta or marry me chicken soup, you already know how irresistible that creamy sun-dried tomato flavor combination is - and this third variation might be the easiest yet! Instead of heavy cream, Boursin melts right into the sauce for instant depth and richness, and I tested it with both brown rice orzo and traditional orzo to ensure the liquid ratio and texture work perfectly either way.
It's also incredibly practical. Rotisserie chicken saves time, spinach wilts straight into the skillet, and everything cooks together in one pan, so you're not juggling multiple pots. Cozy enough for a weekend dinner but simple enough for a busy weeknight, this has quickly become one of our go-to meals. And if you love cooking with Boursin, don't miss my Boursin chicken recipe for another easy, flavor-packed option.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Olive oil: Builds the flavor base and helps soften the aromatics.
- Shallot: Adds subtle sweetness and depth.
- Minced garlic: Essential for that bold, savory flavor.
- Sun-dried tomatoes (in olive oil): Bring tangy richness and concentrated tomato flavor that defines marry me chicken.
- Gluten free orzo: I love Jovial Foods Brown Rice Orzo because it cooks evenly and holds its shape. If you aren't gluten free, feel free to use regular orzo instead.
- Chicken broth: The cooking liquid that allows the orzo to absorb flavor as it softens.
- Salt, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper: Add warmth and balance.
- Cooked chicken: I used rotisserie chicken and it worked perfectly! Cut into pieces or shred it for easy mixing.
- Raw spinach: Wilts directly into the hot orzo for color and freshness.
- Boursin Garlic & Herb Cheese: The key to a creamy, stable sauce without heavy cream. Use the dairy free version if you want!
- Grated parmesan: Finishes the dish with salty depth.
- Fresh basil: Brightens everything right before serving.
How to Make This Marry Me Chicken Orzo
Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium high heat. Add the shallot and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 30 seconds.
Step 2: Add the orzo to the skillet along with the chicken broth, salt, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low. Cook, stirring often, until the orzo is tender and most of the broth has been absorbed, about 15-16 minutes.
Step 3: Stir in the cooked chicken, spinach, and Boursin cheese. Continue stirring over medium low heat until the cheese is fully melted and the spinach is wilted.
Step 4: Serve topped with fresh basil and grated parmesan.
Tips and Variations for Marry Me Chicken Orzo
- Orzo absorbs liquid quickly, so stir frequently as it simmers to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. Remove the skillet from heat as soon as the orzo is tender and most of the broth has been absorbed - it will continue to thicken as it rests. Overcooking is the main reason orzo turns mushy.
- If the sauce thickens too much, stir in a splash of warm chicken broth to loosen it and restore that creamy texture.
- This marry me chicken orzo is also easy to customize. You can use whatever kind of chicken you want, add mushrooms for extra depth, or increase the crushed red pepper for more heat. Small adjustments like these keep the structure of the dish the same while allowing you to make it your own.
If you love orzo-based dinners, my one pan orzo bake or my fresh Greek orzo salad are both great ways to use this versatile pasta!
How to Store and Reheat
- This recipe is great for meal prep because the flavors continue to develop as it rests!
- Store leftover marry me chicken orzo in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The orzo will continue to absorb liquid as it sits, so the texture will thicken slightly.
- To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over medium low heat with a splash of chicken broth to loosen the sauce. Stir frequently until heated through. You can also microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, but avoid overheating as the sauce can tighten if it gets too hot.
Recipe FAQs
Cook it at a steady simmer and stir often so it absorbs liquid evenly. Remove from heat once tender and most of the broth is absorbed.
Yes! Store in the fridge and reheat gently with a splash of broth to restore creaminess.
Absolutely! Use the Dairy Free Boursin cheese which can be found in many stores, or feel free to stir in some Kite Hill cream cheese.
This creamy, marry me chicken orzo is comforting, flavorful, and simple enough to make anytime you're craving something cozy. It's rich without feeling heavy and full of flavor without being complicated. It's designed to work whether you're gluten-free or not!
More Easy Chicken Recipes
Creamy Boursin Chicken Pasta with Spring Veggies
Easy Chicken Marsala Fettuccine with Prosciutto
Healthy Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Marry Me Chicken Orzo (Gluten Free)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 shallot, diced
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (in olive oil), drained and roughly chopped
- 12 oz Gluten Free Orzo , I like Jovial Foods Brown Rice Orzo
- 5 cups chicken broth
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper
- 2.5 cups cooked chicken, I used rotisserie, cut into 1 inch pieces/shredded
- 3 cups raw spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 package Boursin Garlic & Herb Cheese
- Grated parmesan , for serving
- Fresh basil, for serving
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium high heat.
- Add the shallot and the garlic and stir for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Add in the sun-dried tomatoes and stir for 30 seconds.
- Pour the orzo into the pan along with the chicken broth, salt, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low and cook, stirring often, until the orzo is done and most of the broth has been absorbed, about 15-16 minutes.
- Add the chicken, spinach, and Boursin cheese. Stir over medium low heat until the cheese is melted and the spinach is wilted.
- Serve topped with fresh basil and parmesan. Enjoy!
Notes
- Orzo absorbs liquid quickly, so stir frequently as it simmers to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. Remove the skillet from heat as soon as the orzo is tender and most of the broth has been absorbed - it will continue to thicken as it rests. Overcooking is the main reason orzo turns mushy.
- If the sauce thickens too much, stir in a splash of warm chicken broth to loosen it and restore that creamy texture.
- This marry me chicken orzo is also easy to customize. You can use whatever kind of chicken you want, add mushrooms for extra depth, or increase the crushed red pepper for more heat. Small adjustments like these keep the structure of the dish the same while allowing you to make it your own.
- Store leftover marry me chicken orzo in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The orzo will continue to absorb liquid as it sits, so the texture will thicken slightly.
Nutrition
All nutrition facts are an estimate and automatically calculated. While I fact check them using My Fitness Pal, please note that they may not always be 100% accurate and depend on ingredients used. Weigh your total and divide by the number of servings for the most accurate grams per serving size.
